(Newser)
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Chinese searchers trying to visit Google, Yahoo and Microsoft Live Search are being redirected to the Chinese search engine Baidu, according to tech news sources. Speculation has it that the Chinese government is blocking the American engines because officials are angry that the US awarded the Dalai Lama the Congressional Gold Medal this week.

When a similar hijacking occurred in 2002, Baidu executives denied having anything to do with it. The Chinese government has been increasing media censorship in the run-up to this week's major Communist Party Congress. Chinese officials said they're aware that internet users are being redirected from search sites, but offered no explanation.